My concern is all about security of the players. Cricket is India's passion and is it worth to put in danger for the sake of improving ties?? In the past so much has already been done to improve India-Pakistan relations but nothing has worked so what is the guarantee that cricket would do wonders????
It's not just about the game but also about the lives of players. Players were justified in saying that why should peace be fired from their shoulders??? Pakistan wants the tour because thier money is at stake but here lives of human beings are at stake.
As an ardent follower of cricket and Indo-PAK relations over the years, i felt long back that the Indian tour of Pakistan could be in trouble because of security concerns. Though there is assurance from the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan President regarding security, one cannot rule out the possibility of a mishap as it is very difficult to have an eye on the emotionally charged crowd even with the hundred skilled security guards spread all over the stadium. However, what is disheartening is the comments made by some Indian players and their attempts to abort the tour. Nobody can deny that one should be concerned about the family and their opinion counts on these matters. However, when your are representing your country, nothing is as important as serving the country. When the nation is trying to develop good relations with the neighbouring country for its national interest, all its citizens should abide by it and do their part to help the nation. The players are blessed with all the commodities because the average Indian identifies them as national heroes, worships them and pays his hard earned money to watch them play which reaches them in a different way. When so many people are suffering and sacrificing their lives for the nation, it is sad to note that these gentlemen are worried about their personal interests than those of the nation. It is these gentlemen who never leave an opportunity to inspire our soldiers during wars. Those acts by our so called celebrities are not justified if they behave differently in these times.
We only can wish that the true cricket fan in Pakistan comes forward very soon and assures the players about their security, promise them that they conduct themselves very well during the tour and thwart away any attempts by anyone that may put their lives at risk in return of true cricket.
I support every one who objects to India tour of Pakistan. It makes lot of economic sense for the boards of both the countries to ensure the series go on. But can we afford loss of players like Sachin, Saurav etc. In any case if senior players decide not to go then the series doesn't mean anything in any case.
this is not a good idea. players like sachin tendulkar who are too precious to us would be prime targets for terrorists and jihadis who hate india. imagine the chaos that would ensue if someone like tendulkar was successfully targeted by terrorists in pakistan! it is not hyperbole to say that a war would break out between us and them. why take such a gigantic geopolitical risk, not to mention risking the lives of our favorite players? just so the PCB can make money and dalmiya can feel gratified? the risk is too great...the benefits too little. if the tour does go on, i hope key indian players will refuse to go on tour and that the BCCI is not permitted by the Indian Govt. to pressure any player (who is a human being after all) into going on tour by implicit blackmail. -mohan srinivas san francisco
Well, our Indian team should be daring to tour Pakistan. Let us go there and play it out. Its disheartening to read media reports about the 'fear' expressed by 'some' team members. Our Army has been sacrificing all along. Its just not enough if Indian cap is on at the 'secured' venues. If the commitment is given by the board, leave the security aspects to them. Let us be pure professionals and focus on the game. Leave the rest to the board and admin authorities.
This is the kind of report you excel in, Faisal. The match reports are not (yet!) your forte, in my opinion. But these kind of articles are very very informative, and make an excellent read (and more interesting than match reports IMHO). Keep up the good work.
With players like Sachin, there is always a potential danger in going to Pak. Even if a panel is assignes to assess security, in all probability there is a big danger for the team. If at all there should be a match so desperately (for the Pakis!!) then the best is to hold it in a neutral venue.
India and Pakistan should play Cricket. But only in nutral venues untill peace is restored between the countries. We can not afford to lose Sachin, Dravid, Ganguly, Laxman, Shewag. If something happens to them, how can we bring them back for their personal and India's cricketing reasons.
